Flex and Stay Device for Holding Cell Phone/Electronic Device with Stylus Cap

ABSTRACT

The flex and stay device of the present invention is used to hold a cell phone/electronic device in a standing position while it is used to synchronize and charge said cell phone/electronic device. It is either permanently built in to a wire OR is a removably attachable encasing structure that allows for the USB cord to flex and stay in a bent position. This allows the user of the cord to create a stand for his or her electronic device for ease of use on a table or flat surface. The device can also be used to wrap an unused wire in a neat and compact fashion.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This is a continuation-in-part Application to the U.S. Application Ser. No. 13/766,387, filed on Feb. 13, 2013, from which priority is claimed, and entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a device that provides what is referred to herein as “flex and stay” properties to one or both ends of a USB cable by having a removable attached encasing structure that is used to bend and shape the USB cable into shapes that can be used to hold a cell phone/electronic device in a standing position on a table or flat surface. The flex and stay devices can be attached to other wires which do more than just charge cell phones such as a cell phone ear piece wire or stereo and video cables. Such attachment can be temporary or at the time of manufacturing of any electrical wire such a device could be permanently affixed to said wire and sold as such.

2. Description of Related Art

A Universal Serial Bus (“USB” hereinafter) cable for charging and synchronizing a cell phone or electronic device is known in the prior art. Nevertheless, a typical USB cable cannot hold a cell phone or electronic device in a standing position while it is being charged or synchronized.

Electronic devices are defined herein as including but are not limited to mobile phones, smart phones, and multimedia players.

In differing from prior art, this invention serves to modify a traditional USB cable which has a primary use of charging a cell phone so that it can be used to support a cell phone or electronic device in a standing position for easy access while said cell phone or electronic device is being charged or synchronized. Such device can further be coupled with various additional features that enhance the desire to use such a device.

For example a stylus cap can be added to the tip of this device to serve a duel role of protecting one end of the USB cable and at the same time allowing a user to have a handy stylus at hand for use with their electronic device.

Further, two of the removably attached wire flex and stay devices can be attached to other wires which do more than just charge cell phones . For example said device can be attached to a cell phone ear piece wire. By doing this one end of the earpiece wire can serve to support the cell phone on a table and the other end could help the user wrap the earpiece wire around the user's ear to help support the earpiece.

It is important to note that any wire that plugs into an electronic device such as a stereo system where there are wires coming out of the back of the device could incorporate such a system as the one described herein.

This could be applied as a way to bend the wires for a neat and uniform appearance. While the wire used herein has a USB cable fitting at the one end it should be understood that any such wire fitting with either as USB plug or any other electronic related plug will work with said invention.

Even so, this being said, the basic functioning of this device is to offer firm structural support to a wire and yet have easy bendable properties so as to be able to serve as a table supporting structure for an attached electronic device while said device is plugged into a charging outlet. Thereafter, when said device is still in need of a charge but no longer needed to remain on a table, this invention allows for the USB wire to be wrapped around itself and the phone to be stored up against a wall electrical outlet.

This flex and stay device is a cost effective approach to creating a firm wire stand as the device is situated around the ends of a wire and not continuously along the entire wire itself. This also allows for additional ease of transport for if the entire wire were of a firm flex and stay material it would not be easy to transport from one place to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The flex and stay device according to the present invention is used to support a cell phone/electronic device with a removably attached flexible device that allows for rigidity in the USB cable and thereby creates a support leg for the electronic device when said device is positioned in a standing position while the electronic device is charged/synchronized.

The structure of the flex and stay device described herein is such that it allows for a charging cord to have features located at either end of the cord itself that provide rigidity to the cord for about to 6 inches (Approximately 2″ to 6″ for a standard Smartphone) and larger sizes would be needed for tablets and bigger devices) However, with stereo cables that are not using the flex and stay as a stand the incorporation of smaller sized structures from 0.5″ to 3″ could be used directly at the tip of the cable itself. The implication here is that all varying sizes of said device can function using the principles outlined herein.

This addresses a variety of common issues with the end that plugs into the electronic device itself and common issues that arise with the opposite end that plugs into a common electrical wall outlet.

The flex and stay device of the present invention comprises:

-   -   a removably attached flex and stay wire support system that can         be placed at one or both ends of the USB wire.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the flex and stay device has a removably attachable encasing structure at the front of the USB cord that allows for the USB cord to flex and stay in a bent position. This allows the user of the flex and stay device of the present invention to create a stand for his or her electronic device for ease of use on a table or flat surface. Such permanent or removably attachable encasing structure can also have a covering element to protect the tip of the USB cord when the cord is not plugged into a device and exposed to the environment. Thereon said cover can also have a stylus tip that can be used as a stylus in conjunction with the USB cord itself.

In order to support the electronic device on a table with just a wire that is extending out of the USB port two issues need to be addressed.

1. The first is the strength and length of the flexible wire to support the electronic device itself and

2. the second issue is to have a clamping feature around the USB plug so that pressure on the phone is distributed away from the plug where possible damage with too much pressure could result.

Therefore, various embodiments have been developed wherein either a slid forward and support tip like structure can serve as support at the tip of this invention to extend forward from the wire and over the electronic device. Or in another embodiment, a clamping feature has been used to damp onto the electronic device around the frame of said device where the USB port is located. Each of these variations serve to add support to the flexible wire as well as to distribute pressure away from the plug outlet on said electronic device as the wire is used as a standing leg for the electronic device itself.

The wire encasing structure of said invention which is at the core of this flex and stay device is such that it is easy to bend using two hands or by pushing said encasing between the thumb and first two fingers of one hand to achieve an “L” like shape or “J” like shape. This shaping of the USB wire can then serve as a back supporting extension leg for an electronic device that is angled at about 25 degrees backward on a table. Such device however can be angled at any desired angle for ease of use.

With the device tilting backward by 25 degrees as just one angle example and the flexible wire tilting down and back to a similar opposite angle—in combination with the device—both device and supporting wire extending from device create an upside down “V” like structure which inherently can serve to allow for the electronic device to “stand” on a table top. This combination effectively creates a support system for said device on a table.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the flex and stay device has both a removably attachable encasing structure at the front end to enable the cell phone or electronic device to stand on a flat surface.

The flex and stay device is compatible with any USB cables or ear phone cables or general audio/video cables as well.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows the front end of a typical USB cord including the front-end USB plug for connecting to the cell phone/electronic device and the base of the USB plug.

FIG. 2 is the rear view of the removably attachable flex and stay device for holding cell phone/electronic device which partially encircles the USB cord that is connected to the cell phone/electronic device.

FIG. 3 is the rear view of the removably attachable flex and stay device which completely encircles the front end of the USB cord.

FIG. 4 is an isometric front view of a flex and stay device which completely encircles the USB cord that is connected to a cell phone in a straight position.

FIG. 5 is an isometric front view of a flex and stay device which shapes the UBS cord to bend at about 90 degree angle.

FIG. 6 is an isometric front view of a flex and stay device which shapes the UBS cord to bend towards the flat surface.

FIG. 7 is an isometric rear view of a flex and stay device which shapes the UBS cord to bend towards the flat surface.

FIG. 8 is a zoomed out view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an isometric rear view of a flex and stay device which partially encircles the UBS cable that is connected to a cell phone.

FIG. 10 is an isometric rear view of a flex and stay device which completely encircles the UBS cable that is connected to a cell phone.

FIG. 11 is an isometric rear view of a flex and stay device which is separate from the UBS cable that is connected to a cell phone.

FIG. 12 shows a support clip extending along the flex and stay device.

FIG. 13 shows an open cap tip protection covering with a stylist feature.

FIG. 14 shows a dosed cap tip protection covering with a stylist feature.

FIG. 15 shows a wrapping of the cord for neat storage using the flex and stay end portion as a bent holding feature.

FIG. 16 shows the inside of the flex and stay device and how the wiring serves to support and bend to various shapes.

FIG. 17 shows a cross section of the device permanently attached to an electrical wire.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the front end of a typical USB cord including a front-end USB plug 10 for connecting to the cell phone electronic device and the base 31 of the USB plug.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, there is disclosed a flex and stay device 50 for holding cell phone/electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The removably attachable flex and stay device 50 has a rigid front region 51 for encircling the base 31 of the front-end USB plug 10 and a flex region 52 for circling the front end of the cord 30, and a another rigid region 53 following the flex region for encircling other part of the cord 30. The removably attachable flex and stay device 50 of the present invention can bend at the flex region 52 to any desired angle by a user to create a stand to support the cell phone, The removably attachable flex and stay device 50 has a groove 54 on its rear side along the length to allow the USB cord 30 to insert thereinto.

The flex and stay device is designed to encircle the front end of the USB cord thereby enables the USB cable to flex and stay in a bent position. This allows the user of the flex and stay device of the present invention to create a stand for his or her cell phone/electronic device for ease of use on a table or on a flat surface. FIG. 2 shows the rear view of the removably attachable flex and stay device 50 partially encircles the USB cord 30 and FIG. 3 shows the rear view of the removably attachable flex and stay device 50 completely encircles the front end of the USB cord 30 (not observable in FIG. 3).

A cell phone cannot stand steadily when it is charged using a typical USB cable without being supported by a stand. Whereas when the USB cord is encircled by the removably attachable flex and stay device 50 as shown in FIGS. 4-8 the USB cable can be bent to create a stand to support the cell phone on a flat surface. FIG. 5 is an isometric front view of a flex and stay device supporting a cell phone wherein the attached UBS cord is bent in about 90 degree angle. FIG. 6 is an isometric front view of a flex and stay device supporting a cell phone wherein the attached USB cord is bent towards the flat surface. FIG. 7 is an isometric rear view of a flex and stay device supporting a cell phone wherein the attached USB cord is bent towards the flat surface. FIG. 8 is a zoomed out view of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 9-10 show the rear view of the removably attachable flex and stay device 50 attached to the USB cord 30. FIG. 9 is an isometric rear view of a flex and stay device supporting a cell phone wherein the removably attachable flex and stay device partially encircles the USB cable. FIG. 10 is an isometric rear view of a flex and stay device supporting a cell phone wherein the removably attachable flex and stay device completely encircles the USB cable. FIG. 11 is an isometric rear view of a flex and stay device supporting a cell phone wherein the removably attachable flex and stay device 50 is separate from the USB cable. The groove 54 on the rear side along the length of the removably attachable flex and stay device 50 is clearly observed in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 shows a support clip 55 extending along the flex and stay device 50. This support clip 55 when closed is flush with the wire cable itself. Yet here in the open position it extends beyond the tip of the wire and positions itself along the electronic device framing 200 itself. This feature allows for added support for the wire and distributes the pressure away from the port opening where too much pressure could cause damage to the electronic device.

FIG. 13 shows an open cap tip protection covering 60 with a stylus feature. The stylus cap 60 is configured to serve a dual role of protecting the USB pug of the USB cord when the plug is not plugged into an electronic device and at the same time allowing a user to have a handy stylus at hand for use with their electronic device. The stylus cap has a cap 61 configured to tightly cover the USB plug and a stylus tip 62 on the cap. A stylus therefore at hand for use by the electronic device owner.

FIG. 14 shows a closed cap tip protection covering with a stylus feature. Since the flex and stay wire is firm like a pen this stylus could be used as a handy feature.

FIG. 15 shows a wrapping of the cord for neat storage using the flex and stay end portion as a bent holding feature.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.

In FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 a cross section of a flex and stay device is shown. Here the device is permanently attached to a wiring that extends from a cell phone. As such any flexing or bending of said device lends itself to the creation of a shaping of the wire that is attached to the cell phone and thereby creates a stand used to support the electronic device. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flex and stay device for supporting cell phone/electronic device comprising: a removably and attachable wire encasing structure which is configured to encase a front-end of a USB cord and thereby shape the USB cord to serve as a back supporting extension leg for an electronic device on a flat surface, the wire encasing structure including a first rigid region for encasing a USB plug base, a flexible region for shaping and bending the USB cord surrounded to create a stand, a second rigid region for providing additional support, and a groove at the rear side along the length of the wire encasing structure to allow the front end of the USB cord to insert there into.
 2. The flex and stay device of claim 1, wherein the wire encasing structure is configured to encase both ends of a USB cord.
 3. The flex and stay device of claim 2, wherein the wire encasing structure is configured to encase any wires.
 4. The flex and stay device of claim 3, wherein the flex and stay device provides rigidity to the cord or wire for between one to ten inches at the end of one side or both sides of the cord
 5. The flex and stay device of claim 1 further comprising: a support clip extending along the wire encasing structure and beyond the first rigid region of the wire encasing structure; wherein the support clip is used to damp onto the electronic device near a USB port to provide additional support for the cord and therefore distribute pressure away from the USB port.
 6. The flex and stay device of claim 5, further comprising a stylus cap which is configured to serve a dual role of protecting the USB pug of the USB cord when the plug is not plugged into an electronic device and at the same time allowing a user to have a handy stylus at hand for use with their electronic device, the stylus cap having a cap configured to tightly cover the USB plug and a stylus tip on the cap.
 7. The flex and stay device of claim 3, wherein the wire encasing structure allows for the USB cord or wire to be wrapped around itself.
 8. A flex and stay device for supporting cell phone/electronic device comprising: a removably and attachable wire encasing structure which is configured to encase one or both ends of any electric wires and thereby shape the wire to serve as a back supporting extension leg for an electronic device on a flat surface, the wire encasing structure including a rigid region for encasing a electric connection base, a flexible region for shaping and bending the wire surrounded to create a stand, another rigid region for providing additional support to the wire, and a grove at the rear side along the length of the wire encasing structure to allow the one or both ends of the wire to insert thereinto.
 9. The flex and stay device of claim 8, wherein the flex and stay device provides rigidity to the wire for about (1-10″) inches at the end of both sides of the wire.
 10. The flex and stay device of claim 8 further comprising: a support dip extending along the wire encasing structure and beyond the first rigid region of the wire encasing structure; wherein the support clip is used to damp onto the electronic device near a electric connection port to provide additional support for the wire and therefore distribute pressure away from the electric connection port.
 11. The flex and stay device of claim 10, further comprising a stylus cap which is configured to serve a dual role of protecting the electric plugs of the wire when the plug is not plugged into an electronic device and at the same time allowing a user to have a handy stylus at hand for use with their electronic device, the stylus cap having a cap configured to tightly cover the electric plug and a stylus tip on the cap.
 12. The flex and stay device of claim 8, wherein the wire encasing structure allows for the wire to be wrapped around itself. 